Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Low Sexual Drive

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a common sexual difficulty where people have low sexual desire or drive.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) said it can be experienced by both sexes, although it’s more prevalent among women.

Individuals with HSDD lack interest in sex, though they get aroused and may orgasm when they do have sex.

Low sexual desire can range from mild to extreme, wrote BermanSexualHealth.com. In mild cases people may go through periods of not thinking about or wanting sex. Others don’t long for sex, but enjoy it when it happens.

Many common medications, such as antihypertensives, antidepressants and birth control pills interfere with sex drive, arousal and orgasm by affecting the balance of sexual hormones and the transmission of chemical messengers, wrote Discovery Health.

There are also psychological causes of low sex drive including anxiety or depression, stress, poor body image, and low self-esteem, said Mayo Clinic. And any surgery related to the breasts or genital tract can affect body image, sexual function and sexual desire.

HDSS can result from painful intercourse, childhood sexual abuse or rape, or unusually high levels of inhibition, wrote BermanSexualHealth.com.

Commonly overlooked factors include insomnia or lack of sleep, which lead to fatigue, added NCBI.

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